Cough filter

ABSTRACT

A filter for prevention of transmission of air-borne disease including a perforated container. A mouthpiece is provided into which the user coughs. Filter material in the container filters out most of the microorganisms which would transmit disease. A cover is provided to protect the mouthpiece.

United States Patent 91 Fisher et a1.

[451 March 6, 1973 COUGH FILTER [76] Inventors: Frank E. Fisher, 710 26th Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51104; Joseph N. Fisher, 1908 Helmer Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51103 [22] Filed: Oct. 20, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 82,370

[52] US. Cl. ..l28/275 [51] Int. Cl. ..A61b 19/00, A6lg 9/00 [58] Field of Search ..128/139, 132, 133,2C, 146l46.4,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,491,647 12/1949 Colavita ..l28/351 X 2,318,636 5/1943 Schaafi' 128/201 902,832 1 H1908 Philbrook ..128/199 2,745,402 5/1956 Dufresne 128/200 Primary ExaminerChanning L. Pace AttorneyLucas J. De Koster 571 ABSTRACT A filter for prevention of transmission of air-borne disease including a perforated container. A mouthpiece is provided into which the user coughs. Filter material in the container filters out most of the microorganisms which would transmit disease. A cover is provided to protect the mouthpiece.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENHZD MR 6 I975 S RMh B T 1; ME... m E VI N II Inn.

COUCH FILTER BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to filters and more particularly to a filter designed to prevent the air borne transmission of colds, flu and the like. Most of this type of disease is transmitted by coughing or sneezing. Therefore, if means can be used to filter the air expelled by a l cough or sneeze, much of the contagion could be halted.

This general idea has long been used by medical personnel in hospitals. The surgical mask has been used by surgeons and others in the operating rooms and in the nurseries of hospitals for many years. This type of mask is effective, but not very convenient for regular use outside of a hospital setting.

By our invention we provide an easily portable device convenient to use which will provide much of the safeguard of a surgical mask, particularly at times of sneezing and coughing. Particularly in larger offices, schoolrooms and other places of gathering, this type of device could be of considerable usefulness.

FIGURES FIG. 1 is an isometric view of our device opened and partly broken away to show interior construction,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1 with the cover in a closed position,

FIG. 3 is a partial view similar to FIG. 1 of an alternative embodiment,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the alternative embodiment, and

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 with the cover partly closed and the end of the cover broken away to show the interior parts.

DESCRIPTION Briefly our invention comprises a filter composed of a perforated portable container having a mouthpiece which can be held up to the mouth of the user at any time that he feels about to cough or sneeze. A filter material in the container will then filter out all objectionable material expelled by the cough or sneeze.

More specifically, and referring to the drawings, our device comprises a container having a plurality of perforations 11 formed therein. The container should be of a size and shape such that it can be easily carried in a pocket or purse. The actual shape of the device is not critical, but a suggested shape might be that of a cigarette package. Such packages are regularly carried and many people have become accustomed to handling packages of that shape and size.

The sides of the container are provided with a series of perforations 11. These holes are of relatively small size and may be arranged in an indiscriminate pattern on the package. However, we prefer to leave a fairly wide unperforated space 12 in each sidewall adjacent the bottom 13 of the container. This provides for a small accumulation of moisture without spillage. Such accumulation is rare, but may be possible, and therefore, we make this provision.

The end of the container opposite the bottom 13 includes a mouthpiece 14. This mouthpiece is adapted to fitcomfortably to the users mouth for obvious reasons. It is also envisioned that a shield could be used to cover 0 a lining 15 for the container, or may be of any other form so long as the expelled breath of the user will pass through the material. The material is known in the art and is of the same general type as is used in surgical masks. This material has been tested and is found to be effective in filtering out many types of microorganisms. However, as more effective materials are developed, they also could be substituted.

In order to protect the mouthpiece 14 both from breakage and from lint or the like in the users pocket or purse, we provide a cover 16. This cover may be hinged to the container or may simply be a close sliding fit over the end of the container so that it will stay in place when the device is not in use.

In use, the device is kept in a convenient spot with the cover closed. When a cough or sneeze is imminent, the device is opened and the mouthpiece placed in the users mouth to catch any expelled vapor. The lining entraps the vapor and its entrained microorganisms so that they are not circulated through out the area.

The alternative device is much the same as the first described, except that provision is made to cover the nose of the user as well as the mouth. In order to accomplish this, the top 18 of the container has a mouthpiece 19 and a nasal opening defined by a rim 20. Attached to the rim 20 is a chute 21 formed of plastic or other soft material. This guide or chute 21 is attached to the cover 22 at point 24 so that it will be pulled open when the cover is opened. The cover 22 is formed with a concave guide surface 23 which can be placed against the users nose to be certain that the alignment of the device is proper.

The use of this device is similar to that of the first described except that the expellent from the nasal passages is also captured in the guide 21, and is transmitted to the filter material 15 through the nasal opening.

We claim:

1. A cough filtering device comprising a perforated container, said container being lined with a prepared filter material adapted to filter micro-organisms from the gas passing through said material, said container including a mouthpiece adapted to be placed to the mouth of the user, cover means engaged in a holding relationship to said container and adapted to cover said mouthpiece, said container being formed to provide a nasal opening therein adjacent to said mouthpiece, chute means opening into said nasal opening and formed of a flexible material, and attached to said container near said opening and to said cover in such a manner that opening said cover stretches out said chute means.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said cover is formed to provide a concave guide surface for placement over the nose of the user. 

1. A cough filtering device comprising a perforated container, said container being lined with a prepared filter material adapted to filter micro-organisms from the gas passing through said material, said container including a mouthpiece adapted to be placed to the mouth of the user, cover means engaged in a holding relationship to said container and adapted to cover said mouthpiece, said container being formed to provide a nasal opening therein adjacent to said mouthpiece, chute means opening into said nasal opening and formed of a flexible material, and attached to said container near said opening and to said cover in such a manner that opening said cover stretches out said chute means.
 1. A cough filtering device comprising a perforated container, said container being lined with a prepared filter material adapted to filter micro-organisms from the gas passing through said material, said container including a mouthpiece adapted to be placed to the mouth of the user, cover means engaged in a holding relationship to said container and adapted to cover said mouthpiece, said container being formed to provide a nasal opening therein adjacent to said mouthpiece, chute means opening into said nasal opening and formed of a flexible material, and attached to said container near said opening and to said cover in such a manner that opening said cover stretches out said chute means. 